Hostels

Taking an environmentally friendly holiday doesn't have to mean splashing out on a luxury eco resort - in fact there are plenty of affordable eco accommodations around the world, and amongst them, some fantastic hostels.

A hostel doesn't have to mean spartan: many are fully equipped with a huge range of facilities and conveniences, and all offer clean, comfortable beds at a bargain price.

If you're a cyclist, keep an eye out for the 25 YHA hostels that have recently benefitted from investment in their cycling facilites, including cycle repair and maintenance stations, secure lockers and secure cycle sheds.

Formerly known as Llwyn y Celyn YHA Brecon Beacons is set in 15 acres of ancient woodland, overlooking the River Tarell with views towards Y Gyrn - great countryside for walking or cycling holidays. Tasty home-cooked food and local ales served.

Formerly known as Llwyn y Celyn YHA Brecon Beacons is set in 15 acres of ancient woodland, overlooking the River Tarell with views towards Y Gyrn - great countryside for walking or cycling holidays. Tasty home-cooked food and local ales served.

An independent, family run backpacking hostel and walker’s cafe/bar in Grasmere, in the heart of the stunning Lake District. Situated in 2¼ acres of stunning natural grounds, has over 350 years of heritage. Electric bike hire available.

Just a short distance from the beaches, outdoor sports and walking trails of Scotland's North East coast, SRUC–Craibstone Estate is a comfortable hostel with a walled garden and arboretum, surrounded by some 800 acres of glorious woodland.

With a range of green features to protect its peaceful natural setting, Dalby Forest’s youth hostel is handily located close to Levisham station for those arriving by train, and is well connected to the North York Moors’ walking and cycling networks.

Rooms: 21 beds; private, en-suite and dorm rooms available.

Price:

From £18 per person per night in a dormitory, rooms from £49 per night

This family-friendly grade II listed Regency style building, in a glorious setting overlooking tranquil Esthwaite Water, is an ideal base for cheap family breaks, school trips and activity breaks. Great for walking and cycling.

YHA London Thameside, a purpose built 320 bed hostel (with 70 en-suite rooms) in Rotherhithe, is on the Jubilee Line, London Underground with fast access to the entire London network, and the Thames path will take you on foot direct to Tower Bridge.

If you can't decide on just one outdoor activity, why not try them all? Stay at an activity centre with mountain bikes, canoes and kayaks available to hire. Fantastic for groups; you can relax and socialise on the terrace or in the cosy lounge.

An independent hostel with a strong ethos of sustainability, on a traditional working croft in an extraordinary and elemental landscape. Kick off your shoes and watch the light sing on the sea. Comes highly recommended by visitors.

These bunkhouses are fantastic for groups of any size - you have exclusive hire but only pay per bed used. Characterful Nethy House accommodates 25 to 65 people; smaller Nethy station sleeps 10 to 26. Walks, castles, lochs and distilleries beckon.

The old granary, set in Berwick's historic quarter, has been given a total revamp – it now houses one of the YHA's most beautiful structures. There are 13 bedrooms, a fabulous café/bar, an art gallery, and music and comedy nights throughout the year.

An ideal base for those wanting to explore North Wales on a budget! Families and groups will love it here, or anyone wanting to get to the coast or those after an activity break in Snowdonia. A great option for a car-free break.

Five log chalets in a 10,000-acre park just 20 minutes outside London: great for those after an activity or sightseeing break alike! Fabulous food at the onsite restaurant, and exciting events held throughout the year.

This appealing barn conversion, offering 11 dorm beds and three B&B rooms, sits on an organic farm – self-catering is a treat, with beef and lamb from the surrounding fields available, along with rare-breed bacon for sizzling breakfasts.

Rooms:

Price:

Dorm beds £20/£10 per adult/under-16 Sun-Thu. £200 for up to 10 people Fri-Sat

Sleep Well is a hostel that offers maximum comfort at minimum prices, with a range of room types from dorms to 'luxe' private rooms. It holds a Two-star Ecodynamic Enterprise label for initiatives such as 100% renewable electricity.

This spacious hostel offers great facilities and the best of the Cairngorms on its doorstep: fantastic hiking, mountain-biking and snow sports await. Loch Morlich Watersports Centre and beach are also nearby. Oh, and you'll love the amazing view.

One of the country’s friendliest, cosiest hostels is set in a beautifully converted stone stable, its hay loft providing space for the dorm beds. Run with the environment firmly in mind the hostel has a well-equipped kitchen and sheltered courtyard.

This cheerful backpacker hostel boasts a picturesque setting on the waterfront, in a neighbourhood you may recognise from the film Amélie. It has a sociable atmosphere and keen efforts at energy and water conservation.

Located right at the foot of Mount Snowdon, this bunkhouse is the perfect place to stay for those wanting to be right out in the wilderness. There are opportunities for hiking, climbing, cycling and canoeing right out of the door.

Rooms: 3: 6 beds in each room (bunkhouse sleeps 18)

Price:

Rooms are £100 per night (£16.66 per person), whole Bunkhouse is £300 per night.

Travel back in time and tread in the footsteps of whisky smugglers, from the 'highest hostel in the Scottish Highlands'. Explore the wild landscape on foot or by bike - if cycling back up the hill seems a bit daunting, you can hire an electric one.

A 32-bed hostel conveniently in the centre of Lllangollen with excellent facilities, including laundry, kitchen, lounge with log fire, wifi, bike and canoe storage, drying room and luggage drop. Dorms, as well as double and single rooms available.

Formerly a school for choirboys, this remarkable-looking building boasts the ultimate location for exploring London - it's literally seconds from the cathedral! 213 beds, perfect for families, fully licensed restaurant serves breakfast and dinner.

Plumb in the middle of pretty Hathersage with walking, cycling and climbing opportunities aplenty, this YHA is a great base for an activity holiday. There's a games room and books to borrow for rainy days, too. Chatsworth House is close by.

YHA London St Pancras is just across the street from Kings Cross/St Pancras International station so perfect for travellers, but this hostel also makes a fantastic base for weekends away, budget family breaks and cut price sightseeing holidays.

Get back to basics at this clean, comfortable and friendly bunkhouse and its adjoining campsite. Not only is it surrounded by the glorious scenery of the North Pennines, it also boasts its own beautiful patch of woodland and wildflower meadow.

This cosy hostel is ideally situated for nature lovers, with the Pennine Way, Cross Fell and High Cup Nick all close by. Spend your days exploring and have a delicious three-course dinner waiting to welcome you back!

Close to Plaza de Les Glories (only 3 underground stops from the centre of Barcelona), Hostel Twentytu has 62 rooms for two to four people, all with ensuite bathrooms. An award-winning eco hostel with great facilities and views of Barcelona.

Rooms: 62 rooms - two to four people

Price:

Prices from €18 per person per night depending on season and availability

Bed down in converted shipping containers in this fabulous eco-friendly hostel in the heart of the wonderful Eden Project. There's camping and bell tents available in the summer months, too. You're just a few minutes' walk to all the attractions.

Located at the Conkers visitor centre, this is a great base for budget, family-friendly breaks. There are walking and cycling routes galore, and a lovely café on site. Archery, birds of prey handling and llama trekking nearby.

Not only is this YHA one of the highest residences in the Peak District (fab views on all sides), but they run a great range of family-friendly activity breaks: have a go at archery, caving, canoeing and abseiling. Cycling and walking trails abound.

A family-run hikers’ hostel three hours’ walk from Megalo Papigo that’s great for outdoor activites such as hiking and rock climbing on Mount Timfi. Yet non-walkers will also appreciate the extraordinary escapism and dramatic views.

A quiet spot close to some fabulous walking and cycling routes and spectacular views. The hostel is set in the South Downs National Park, just inland from the coastal towns of Shoreham, Brighton, Hove and Worthing. Lovely grounds to relax in.

At the heart of a Suffolk village on the edge of Blaxhall Heath surrounded by wildlife and beautiful countryside you will find dog friendly YHA Blaxhall. Perfect for bird watching, cycling and walking or indulge in the local delicious sea food.

This handy hostel has two sites – the original Goods Shed, next to Okehampton Railway Station, and Bracken Tor. Both sites offer a range of bunk rooms, some with private bathrooms, plus drying rooms, catering and dinning facilities and camping areas.

A 38 bed hostel in the heart of the Lake District, Langdale Valley is the perfect base for cycling, walking and climbing. A cost effective option for groups or families and perfect for individuals looking for self-catering or home cooking in comfort.

Nestled in the Dorset hillside, this seaside timber retreat is just a one-mile walk away from Lulworth Cove and the South West Coast Path, and is the perfect place for discovering Dorset's Jurassic Coast and the historic Lulworth Castle.

Rooms: 34 beds in total. Camping space for up to 12 people.

Price:

From £20 for a single dorm bed - up to £90 for a private family room sleeping up to 6 people.

This bright and vibrant hostel doesn't just offer good value and a central location - it's also great for socialising, with a bar serving regional wines and tapas and a communal lounge area with a library of resources to help you plan your stay.

Everything you'd expect from a hostel for outdoor enthusiasts - a well-equipped kitchen, large dining area and drying room, ideally located in the centre of Aviemore. The stunning panoramic views from the lounge will inspire you to get out there.

A rural, comfortable, dog-friendly, child-friendly retreat, perfect for family rambles and adventure days out with little ones. You're surrounded by open moorland and dense forest, with a network of cycling and walking paths on the doorstep.

A welcoming B&B and campsite, amid rolling hills and within walking distance of the Jurassic coast. Visitors return time and again, secure in the knowledge that the hosts are doing everything they can to make their stay a green and relaxing one.

Simple, clean and comfortable accommodation on this organic working farm in the North Pennines. Situated within the ‘Heart of Hadrian’s Wall’, this is an ideal location for lovers of walking, cycling, horse riding and pony trekking.

This tiny turreted castle perched on a hillside above the historic village of Eyam was built in 1887 and opened as a hostel in 1972. Superb location with great views, restaurant onsite and family-friendly activities on your doorstep.

YHA London Central is modern, but affordable, and just five minutes from Oxford Street. Close to all public transport there is a bar, cafe and self-catering facilities, a sitting room with wifi. Perfect for all your family's sightseeing needs.

Award winning, eco friendly, self-catering, backpackers' paradise of a hostel and campsite on the Norfolk Coast. This beautiful village by the sea is designated an "area of outstanding natural beauty" - the driest, warmest, sunniest region in the UK.

Originally built as a Co-op in 1887, YHA Youlgreave is a small but perfectly formed little hostel in the stunning White Peak region. Walking, cycling, watersports, and Chatsworth House within striking distance. Limestone gorges beg exploration.

YHA London Earls Court easy to find and a convenient base for a cheap city break for guests. Situated on an affluent residential street, the hostel is a gorgeous 186 room Victorian building and benefits from a courtyard garden. Self-catering and bar.